BROOKLYN, NY (RAILFAN JOURNAL) – On the evening of November 1, 1918, the city of Brooklyn, New York, was shaken by a horrifying tragedy that would go down in history as one of the most deadliest train crashes in the United States.
The Malbone Street Wreck, as it came to be known, unfolded in the dark tunnels beneath the city, leaving a devastating trail of death and destruction.
The tragedy occurred when a Brighton Beach Line subway train, operated by Edward Luciano, derailed as it entered a sharp curve beneath Malbone Street (now Empire Boulevard) in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The train was packed with passengers, many of whom were returning home after a day of work. The conditions on the subway that evening were far from ideal; the train was overcrowded, and the motorman was not familiar with the route.
As the train entered the curve at excessive speed, it derailed, resulting in a horrific and chaotic scene. Wooden cars splintered upon impact, trapping passengers inside. The subway tunnel was plunged into darkness as electrical lines were severed, making rescue efforts even more challenging.
Rescuers from the Fire Department and volunteers from nearby homes rushed to the scene to aid the injured and free those trapped in the wreckage.
The toll of this tragic event was staggering. Official figures reported 92-100 lives lost, and over 100 people were injured, some gravely. The disaster’s aftermath was marked by heart-wrenching scenes of grieving families searching for their loved ones in makeshift morgues and hospitals overflowing with the wounded.
An investigation into the crash revealed a combination of factors, including the inexperience of the operator, inadequate lighting in the tunnel, and a lack of safety measures that could have prevented the tragedy.
The Malbone Street Wreck served as a catalyst for significant improvements in subway safety and operator training.
Today, this somber chapter in New York’s history stands as a reminder of the importance of safety in public transportation and the devastating consequences of negligence. The memory of those who perished in the Malbone Street Wreck remains in the hearts and minds of all who remember that fateful night.
